MELANDRI SETS QUICKEST TIME ON FIRST DAY
Tough start for Sete Gibernau, who suffers from deceleration
problems
CATALUNYA GP - MOTOGP FREE PRACTICE
Sete Gibernau arrived home from Italy with plenty of work
ahead of him and he started the job today as he looks to get
back to top form at the Gran Premio de Catalunya, where his
army of fans are hoping to see him ride with the same level
of determination he showed during the MotoGP Test here just
a few months ago. Sete clocked a best time of 1’41”851
in the preseason session and is hoping he can get close to
that time again tomorrow.
With barely any chance to rest between races, Sete today
suffered from the corner entry problems but he is confident
that the information gathered today will help him make a big
step tomorrow and allow him to compete for a leading position
on the starting grid.
Marco Melandri set a good rhythm throughout the day and,
after lapping 1.3 seconds inside the circuit lap record set
by his team-mate last year, ended the first day of free practice
on top of the time sheets.
MARCO MELANDRI (1st, 1’43”317):
“We had a good session today – we started off
with a good base set-up thanks to the data we had from the
preseason tests and that was reflected in the result. I felt
comfortable on the bike from the morning and we continued
to improve in the afternoon after fitting some new tyres.
Michelin are really helping me to improve traction at maximum
lean angle. I’m very satisfied because I was able to
set a good, consistent pace today. Tomorrow I want to improve
in the last section of the track, which I am finding difficult,
and I don’t want to get too excited about the race because
it will be long and difficult.”
SETE GIBERNAU (9th, 1’44”139):
“Today was confirmation of the problems we had at Mugello:
I’m having difficulty decelerating the bike into the
corners. Even though I am braking earlier, the mid-corner
speed is too high and that is not allowing me to hold my lines,
so I’m losing time. It may sound contradictory but I
would prefer to have these problems today because we still
have time to improve. I am completely confident that my team
will be able to find a solution.”
LAP TIMES
1. Marco Melandri (Ita/Honda) 1’43”317
2. Makoto Tamada (Jap/Honda) 1’43”408
3. Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 1’43”467
4. Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 1’43”638
5. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 1’43”652
6. Loris Capirossi (Ita/Ducati) 1’43”885
7. Alex Barros (Bra/Honda) 1’44”105
8. John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) 1’44”138
9. Sete Gibernau (Esp/Honda) 1’44”139
10. Max Biaggi (Ita/Honda) 1’44”145
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